A good day’s training with Jo, Dom, Becky and Leon, plan was altered slightly,due to conditions, with the plan to paddle from Watchet to Porlock rather than Minehead to Lynmouth, so avoiding the worst of the tide race and making an easier shuttle. Due to my late night (thanks Hamiltons!) was appreciated. The day started off well, with 2-3 ft swell and a moderate wind from behind added to the interest, but it was lovely and bright and sunny and was pretty warm. Getting out of the harbour into choppy swell and then turning side-on to the wind to head down the coast was challenging, but once I’d settled into the rhythm I relaxed, felt OK and rolled with the swell.

Unfortunately we had to cut the trip short after one of the group took a swim, had a bang on the head and then got cold very quickly. It wasn’t safe to keep going so we stopped just short of Minehead. All in all though a successful day – was the roughest conditions I’ve been out in and I coped fine, Dom did a fine self rescue then safely rescued our swimmer and everyone returned safe and sound – result! Successful – if shorter trip